Well Mr Darcy actually takes on the private eye role when he tracks down Wickham and Lydia. At least a part of the role, for the wisecracks (given that's the really essential skill for an aspiring eye) it would have to be Henry Tilney . Murder? Mr Price (Fanny's Dad) for your standard pub brawl. But for your full-on body-parts found in the fridge would be Mr Collins. Except no murder mystery as he's so obviously a deeply creepy guy . So Mr C as the red herring suspect (body parts found by Charlotte) but was actually Lady Catherine de Burgh put them there.
I suspect that Mr Collins could also be manipulated by Lady C into committing or covering up a murder. Whether he could be relied on not give it all away is another matter.
great topic - I love crime fiction and Jane Austen. Have you read P D James's Death at Pemberley? Basically high-class fan fiction, although not flawless.
Oh yes, great rec - I have watched but not read this. Thank you for the reminder to read it. Something to savor very soon. We could say PD James started all this I think.
Fascinating, and I'll definitely check out the anthology.
Here goes with my two-pennorth:
Best detective? Mary Bennet might be dark-horse for a side bet, but Austen doesn't really give us enough about her. So I'm going to take a punt on William Price. He seems a smart lad and he's seen more of the world than most of the characters. But he's rather too likely to miss it all by being on the high seas somewhere.
Most likely to commit murder? There'll be lots of mentions for the usual suspects, like Wickham and Willoughby. Continuing my theme of avoiding the obvious, I can absolutely see Lady Catherine de Bourgh not only committing murder but feeling she has the right to get away with it. Her weapon of choice would be posion, of course.
Most likely to get away with murder? It has to be one of the 'goodies', the ones who seem so thoroughly virtuous that no one will suspect them. Elinor Dashwood, Jane Bennet… or how about Anne Elliot, who not only has the reputation of virtue but is probably the most resourceful of Austen's women.
It was so fun to read the authors' different views of who'd be the sleuth and who'd be the villain. I enjoy Jane Austen mysteries. It's fascinating to me to see how the characters are reinterpreted by different authors. It's a testament to how well-crafted her characters are, that we're doing this centuries after the various books' publication.
Well Mr Darcy actually takes on the private eye role when he tracks down Wickham and Lydia. At least a part of the role, for the wisecracks (given that's the really essential skill for an aspiring eye) it would have to be Henry Tilney . Murder? Mr Price (Fanny's Dad) for your standard pub brawl. But for your full-on body-parts found in the fridge would be Mr Collins. Except no murder mystery as he's so obviously a deeply creepy guy . So Mr C as the red herring suspect (body parts found by Charlotte) but was actually Lady Catherine de Burgh put them there.
Wow this is taking shape deliciously, also "deeply creepy" -YES. 🤣
I suspect that Mr Collins could also be manipulated by Lady C into committing or covering up a murder. Whether he could be relied on not give it all away is another matter.
It's just begging to be written, if it hasn't already. (It probably has.) 😀
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great topic - I love crime fiction and Jane Austen. Have you read P D James's Death at Pemberley? Basically high-class fan fiction, although not flawless.
Oh yes, great rec - I have watched but not read this. Thank you for the reminder to read it. Something to savor very soon. We could say PD James started all this I think.
My pleasure!
Fascinating, and I'll definitely check out the anthology.
Here goes with my two-pennorth:
Best detective? Mary Bennet might be dark-horse for a side bet, but Austen doesn't really give us enough about her. So I'm going to take a punt on William Price. He seems a smart lad and he's seen more of the world than most of the characters. But he's rather too likely to miss it all by being on the high seas somewhere.
Most likely to commit murder? There'll be lots of mentions for the usual suspects, like Wickham and Willoughby. Continuing my theme of avoiding the obvious, I can absolutely see Lady Catherine de Bourgh not only committing murder but feeling she has the right to get away with it. Her weapon of choice would be posion, of course.
Most likely to get away with murder? It has to be one of the 'goodies', the ones who seem so thoroughly virtuous that no one will suspect them. Elinor Dashwood, Jane Bennet… or how about Anne Elliot, who not only has the reputation of virtue but is probably the most resourceful of Austen's women.
Fantastic! You have the beginnings of your own Austenesque mystery here! Thank you for this! 💮
Hmmm. One day, maybe. I have a few other things to write first.
But it could be a lot of fun.
It was so fun to read the authors' different views of who'd be the sleuth and who'd be the villain. I enjoy Jane Austen mysteries. It's fascinating to me to see how the characters are reinterpreted by different authors. It's a testament to how well-crafted her characters are, that we're doing this centuries after the various books' publication.